Process for fabricating polymeric articles

ABSTRACT

A process for the production of a polymeric article comprises the steps of: (a) forming a ply having successive layers, namely (ii) a first layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material; (ii) a second layer of a polymeric material; (iii) a third layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material, wherein the second layer has a lower peak melting temperature than that of the first and third layers; (b) subjecting the ply to conditions of time, temperature and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the first layer, to melt the second layer entirely, and to melt a proportion of the third layer; and to compact the ply; and (c) cooling the compacted ply. The resultant articles have good mechanical properties yet may be made at lower compaction temperatures than articles not employing the second layer, leading to a more controllable manufacturing process.

The present invention relates to polymeric articles made from oriented polymeric strands, and in particular to an improved process for making such articles.

In recent years, developments have been made in processes for compacting polymeric strands in order to make sheets of high stiffness and strength. An example is disclosed in GB 2253420A, in which an assembly of strands of an oriented polymer is hot compacted in a two-step process to form a sheet having good mechanical properties. The process involves an initial step in which the strands are brought to and held at the compaction temperature whilst subject to a pressure sufficient to maintain the strands in contact, and thereafter compacted at a high pressure (40-50 MPa) for a few seconds (the compaction pressure). In this process a proportion of the surfaces of the strands melts and subsequently recrystallises on cooling. This recrystallised phase binds the strands together, resulting in good mechanical properties of the final sheet. It is mentioned in GB 2253420A that the process can be applied to many types of oriented polymer including polyester and PEEK (polyether ether ketone) but that preferred polymers are oriented polyolefins.

One drawback of the process described in GB 2253420A is that the temperature span across which melting occurs is very narrow. Accordingly it is difficult to achieve the desired degree of partial melting of the outer regions of the strands. Inadequate melting of the strands results in poor mechanical properties. Excessive melting of the strands results in loss of orientation, and diminished mechanical properties. Precise process control is needed if the article is not to be “under-melted” or “over-melted”.

In WO 98/15397 a related process is disclosed in which an assembly of melt-formed polyolefin strands is maintained in intimate contact at elevated temperature sufficient to melt a proportion of the strands, whilst being subjected to a compaction pressure of no greater than 10 MPa. If wished the strands may have been subjected to a prior crosslinking process, preferably an irradiation crosslinking process comprising irradiating the strands with an ionising radiation in an inert environment containing alkyne or diene compounds, and then carrying out an annealing step comprising annealing the irradiated polymer at an elevated temperature, in an inert environment containing alkyne or diene compounds. It is said that the prior crosslinking can make the compaction temperature less critical, and improve mechanical properties, in particular the failure strength at elevated temperature.

There is published work on the use of articles in which a polyethylene film is sandwiched between polyethylene fibre layers, and the ply subjected to hot compaction.

Marais et al., in Composites Science and Technology, 45, 1992, pp. 247-255, disclose a process in which compaction takes place at a temperature above the melting point of the film but below the melting point of the fibre layers. The resulting articles have modest mechanical properties.

Ogawa et al., in Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 68, 1998, pp. 1431-1439 describe articles made up of layers of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibres (mp 145-152° C.) and low density polyethylene films (mp 118° C.). The moulding temperature is said to be between the melting points of the fibre and the interlayer (matrix). The volume fraction of the fibres is stated to be 0.69 or 0.74. However the articles are said to have surprisingly poor properties, possibly because of weak adhesion between fibres and matrix (melted film). Another article was made with polyethylene fibres alone, and the process conditions induced partial melting, with poorer properties.

There is a need for a simple, practical means which can reduce the criticality of the compaction temperature, in a hot compaction process. There is in addition a continuing need for improvement in mechanical properties in the resulting articles. It is an object of the present invention to achieve embodiments in which one or both of these needs are met, at least in part, in a practicable manner.

Accordingly in a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for the production of a polymeric article, the process comprising the steps of:

-   -   (a) forming a ply having successive layers, namely         -   (i) a first layer made up of strands of an oriented             polymeric material;         -   (ii) a second layer of a polymeric material;         -   (iii) a third layer made up of strands of an oriented             polymeric material, wherein the second layer has a lower             peak melting temperature than that of the first and third             layers;     -   (b) subjecting the ply to conditions of time, temperature and         pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the first layer, to         melt the second layer entirely, and to melt a proportion of the         third layer; and to compact the ply; and     -   (c) cooling the compacted ply.

“Cooling” in the first and second aspects can include permitting the compacted ply to cool naturally; forced draught cooling; plunge cooling; any other type of accelerated cooling; and retarded cooling.

The term “strands” is used herein to denote all oriented elongate elements of polymeric material useful in this invention. They may be in the form of fibres or filaments. They may be in the form of bands, ribbons or tapes, formed for example by slitting melt formed films, or by extrusion. Whatever their form the strands may be laid in a non-woven web for the process of the invention. Alternatively they may be formed into yarns comprising multiple filaments or fibres, or used in the form of a monofilament yarn. The strands are usually formed into a fabric by weaving or knitting. Optionally the strands may have been subjected to a crosslinking process, as described in WO 98/15397. Woven fabrics are preferably made up of tapes, fibre yarns or filament yarns, or they may comprise a mixture of fibre or filament yarns and tapes. Most preferred for use in the said first and third layers are fabrics which are woven from flat tapes, as this geometry is believed to give the best translation of the oriented phase properties into the properties of the final compacted sheet.

The strands can be made by any suitable process, for example solution or gel or melt forming, preferably by melt forming.

Preferably at least 1% of each of the first layer melts, preferably at least 3%, more preferably at least 5%. Especially preferred are embodiments in which at least 10% of the first layer melts (vol/vol of first layer).

Preferably not more than 30% of the first layer melts, more preferably not more than 25%. Highly preferred are embodiments in which not more than 20% of the first layer melts, and especially not more than 15% (vol/vol of the first layer).

Preferably at least 1% of each of the third layer melts, preferably at least 3%, more preferably at least 5%. Especially preferred are embodiments in which at least 10% of the third layer melts (vol/vol of third layer).

Preferably not more than 30% of the third layer melts, more preferably not more than 25%. Highly preferred are embodiments in which not more than 20% of the third layer melts, and especially not more than 15% (vol/vol of the third layer).

Preferably at least 1% of the ply melts, preferably at least 3%, more preferably at least 5%, and most preferably at least 10% (vol/vol of total ply).

Preferably not more than 35% of the ply melts, preferably not more than 25%, more preferably not more than 20%, and most preferably not more than 15% (vol/vol of total ply).

Preferably the ply comprises a plurality of layers of the type defined above as the second layer, for example from 2 to 40, preferably from 4 to 30, each such layer being sandwiched between layers of the type defined above as the first and third layers.

In certain embodiments of the invention the strands of an oriented polymeric material of the first and third layers may comprise—preferably may consist of—polyethylene, polypropylene, polyoxymethylene or polyester, including as homopolymer, copolymer or terpolymer. Polymer blends and filled polymers could be employed in certain embodiments. In especially preferred embodiments the strands are of a homopolymeric material, most preferably a polypropylene or polyethylene homopolymer.

In certain embodiments of the invention the or each second layer may comprise—preferably may consist of—polyethylene, polypropylene, polyoxymethylene or polyester, including as homopolymer, copolymer or terpolymer. Polymer blends and filled polymers could be employed in certain embodiments. In especially preferred embodiments the or each second layer is of a homopolymeric material, most preferably a polypropylene or polyethylene homopolymer.

Preferably the first and third layers are of the same type of polymeric material (eg both polypropylene). Preferably the or each second layer is of the same type of polymeric material. Most preferably the or each second layer is of the same chemical composition and grade, except for the fact that it is preferably of lower orientation (and accordingly melts at a lower temperature than the first and third layers).

The minimum temperature at which the fibres should be compacted is preferably that at which the leading edge of the endotherm, measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), of the constrained polymer fibres extrapolated to zero intersects the temperature axis. Preferably, the temperature at which the fibres are compacted is no greater than the constrained peak temperature of melting at the ambient compaction pressure—i.e. the temperature at which the endotherm reaches it highest point.

The or each second layer could be formed in situ on the first or third layer, for example by delivering the polymeric material of the or each second layer to the respective first or third layer in particulate form, for example by spraying.

Alternatively, and preferably, the or each second layer is pre-formed, and is laid onto the first or third layer. The or each second layer could be pre-formed from strands of the polymeric material. The strands could be laid into a non-woven web. They could be formed into yarns comprising multiple filaments or fibres, or used in the form of a monofilament yarn. Strands—for example filament yarns, fibre yarns or tapes—could be formed into a fabric by weaving or knitting. Most preferably, however, the or each second layer comprises—preferably consists of—a film. The film may typically have a uniaxial or biaxial orientation resulting from its formation, but such that the degree of orientation will typically be much less than that of the strands which make up the first and third layers. The or each second layer may be made up of a plurality of films, for example 2-5, but is preferably constituted by a single film.

Preferably the or each second layer (however constituted) is of thickness not exceeding 100 μm, more preferably not exceeding 40 μm, and most preferably not exceeding 20 μm (with reference to its thickness when under compression in the ply, at a temperature below its melting temperature).

Preferably the or each second layer (however constituted) is of thickness at least 5 μm, more preferably at least 10 μm (with reference to its thickness when under compression in the ply, but below its melting temperature).

Preferably the thickness of each of the first and third layers exceeds that of the or each second layer. Preferably the thickness of each is at least 5 times that of the or each second layer.

Preferably the thickness of each of the first and third layers exceeds 50 μm, and more preferably exceeds 100 μm.

Preferably the thickness of each of the first and third layers does not exceed 1 mm, and preferably does not exceed 400 μm.

Preferably the or each second layer has a peak melting temperature at least 5° C. lower than the peak melting temperature of the first and third layers, more preferably at least 10° C. lower, most preferably at least 20° C. lower.

It is preferred that the hot compaction process of the invention uses a compaction pressure not exceeding 10 MPa. It is also preferred that a single pressure is used throughout the hot compaction process. Most preferred pressures are between 1 and 7 MPa, particularly between 2 and 5 MPa. It is preferred that the hot compaction pressure is maintained during cooling.

Preferably the polymeric materials have not been subjected to a crosslinking process prior to compaction, for example of the type described in WO 98/15397. It is found that the present invention gives benefits in terms of the “temperature window” without the need for crosslinking.

Preferably the polymeric materials have not been subjected to a prior corona discharge treatment prior to compaction. More preferably the polymeric materials have not been subjected to surface treatment prior to compaction.

Compaction of the polymeric materials may be carried out in an autoclave, or in a double belt press or other apparatus in which the assembly is fed through a compaction zone where it is subjected to the required elevated temperature and pressure. Thus, the process may be operated as a continuous or semi-continuous process. Cooling is preferably effected whilst the compacted web is restrained against dimensional change, for example by being held under tension, which may be applied uniaxially or biaxially, or by being still under a compaction pressure. The restraint may assist the maintenance of good properties in the oriented phase.

The article may be regarded as a polymer composite made up of an interlayer or binding phase produced during the process, derived from full melting of the second layer and partial melting of the first and third layers, and an oriented phase, being the unmelted major proportion of the fibres of the first and third layers.

By means of the present invention articles can be made with certain mechanical properties exceeding those which would be obtained using a conventional process which does not employ a melted second layer. In particular peel strength and failure strength may be significantly improved, with tensile modulus being maintained at a good level.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an article made by a process of the first aspect.

Articles made by the process of the present invention are suitable for forming into shape, by a process carried out subsequent to compaction (post-forming).

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for forming a shaped article by the application of heat and a shaping force to an article of the third aspect of the present invention. Suitably the article of the third aspect may be a flat sheet and the shaped article may, for example, be bent, curved, domed or otherwise non-planar.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an article formed into a shape by a process of the third aspect.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a ply as defined by step (a) of the first aspect, prior to the carrying out of steps (b) and (c) of the first aspect.

The invention will now be further exemplified, with reference to the following examples, set out in sets.

In these examples standard test methods were used.

Tensile modulus and tensile strength were determined following the protocols of ASTM D638. Flexural strength was determined following the protocols of ASTM D790.

Peel strength was determined by the protocols of the T-Peel test, ASTM D1876. Samples for testing were 10 mm wide and 100 mm long and were tested using a crosshead speed of 100 mm/min. The testing was carried out parallel to the warp direction.

In all cases three samples were tested and the results averaged.

The percentage of material melted was determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) carried out at a heating rate of 10° C./min.

EXAMPLE SET A

Fabric layers were woven, in a plain weave, from CERTRAN, a 250 denier multifilament yarn of melt spun filaments of oriented homopolymeric polyethylene available from Hoechst Celanese, and characterised as follows: Tensile initial Molecular weight Breaking strength secant Modulus 2% (M_(w)) (M_(n)) (GPa) (GPa) (GPa) 130,000 12,000 1.3 58 43

Samples, using two layers of woven cloth, were processed in a hot press using a two stage pressure process. An initial pressure of 0.7 MPa (100 psi) was applied while the assembly reached the compaction temperature. After a 2 minute dwell time at this temperature, a higher pressure of 2.8 MPa (400 psi) was applied for 1 minute upon which time the assembly was cooled at a rate of approximately 20° C. per minute to 100° C. Samples were made under three conditions. Firstly, standard compaction at a temperature of 138° C. Secondly, a layer of the LDPE film was laid between the two layers of woven cloth and then processed at 126° C. (above the melting point of the film but below the melting point of the oriented fibres). Finally a sample was made by interleaving one layer of the LDPE film between the two layers of woven cloth and processing at a temperature of 136° C.

The results of these tests are shown in the table below. Compaction % fibre Peel Tensile temperature melted strength modulus Sample (° C.) material (N/10 mm) (GPa) Standard compaction 138 26 7.2 9.2 technique (comparison) Woven PE cloth + 126 0 6.8 3.1 interleaved LDPE film (comparison) Woven PE cloth + 136 14 11.2 8.1 interleaved LDPE film

For the standard compaction technique without the film, a compaction temperature of 138° C. was found to be optimum for giving a good modulus and reasonable level of interlayer bonding (peel strength). This optimum temperature was very close to the point where major crystalline melting occurred, at 139° C. Using an interleaved film, but processing at 126° C., just enough to completely melt the interlayer film, but not the surfaces of the fibres, good interlayer bonding was developed but modulus was poor due, presumably, to poor interfibre bonding as it will be difficult for the molten material to penetrate the fibre bundles. Finally, the sample made with the interlayer film but processed at 136° C., where selective melting of the oriented fibres occurred, shows the highest peel strength and a good modulus. In addition, those properties were obtained at a temperature 2° C. below the temperature required for compaction without the film, widening the processing window as there is less risk of over melting at a temperature of 139° C.

EXAMPLE SET B

In these examples partially melted monolithic articles were prepared, using TENSYLON oriented polyethylene tape produced by Synthetic Industries, USA, having the following characteristics: Tensile strength 1.5 GPa Tensile modulus 88 GPa Denier 720

This was woven into a fabric. For the interlayer a polyethylene of closely similar type was obtained, FL5580 film grade from Borealis A/S, Denmark, melting point 130° C. This was extruded into a film approximately 10-15 μm in thickness, using a standard film extruder and film die.

Compaction experiments were carried out at a range of temperatures between the melting point of the film (approximately 130° C.) up to and including the normal compaction range for this material (148°-156° C.). The woven cloth was thin (areal density 83 g/m²) and to obtain an even pressure over the assembly during compaction rubber sheets were used inside the normal metal plates utilised for compaction, with soft aluminium foils between the rubber sheets and the ply being compacted. Dwell time was 5 minutes. Cooling was 20° C./min.

In the first series of tests, samples were compacted over the temperature range 148 to 156° C., with and without the interleaved film. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show the tensile modulus, peel strength and tensile strength of these samples.

It will be seen from FIG. 1 that when an interlayer is used, the tensile modulus shows a monotonic decrease with temperature, as opposed to the peak seen with normal compaction. We infer that the interlayer is producing higher levels of bonding at low compaction temperatures making the properties less sensitive to the amount of melted material produced.

The peel strength of the interleaved film samples (FIG. 2) is higher throughout the temperature range, compared to normal compaction.

The tensile strength (FIG. 3) was similar for the two samples; concern that this property might be compromised by use of the interlayer was allayed.

We have developed a performance index (PI) in an attempt to discern the optimum combination of the compacted sheet properties. If we consider the tensile modulus E, the tensile strength c and the peel strength, Peel, assuming each property is equally important, this is defined as follows: ${PI} = {100 \times \frac{\left\lbrack {\left( \frac{E_{T}}{E_{\max}} \right) + \left( \frac{\sigma_{T}}{\sigma_{\max}} \right) + \left( \frac{{Peel}_{T}}{{Peel}_{\max}} \right)} \right\rbrack}{3}}$ where the subscript T refers to a particular compaction temperature and the subscript max refers to the maximum value measured for all the samples. Values of the performance index are shown below in FIG. 4. From this it is seen that the interlayer samples show a less variable combination of properties, in particular having better properties at lower compaction temperatures, than corresponding samples without an interlayer. This confirms the view that a lower compaction temperature can be used when an interlayer is employed, giving processing advantages.

EXAMPLE SET C

The tests of this example employed the same materials, equipment and techniques as Example Set B. It provides a comparison of the properties of compacted sheets made at three temperatures: a normal compacted sample made at the standard optimum temperature of 154° C., an interlayer sample made at 152° C. and a comparison interlayer sample made at 135° C., which is enough to melt the interlayer but not any part of the TENSYLON tapes. The results are shown below. Assembly Peel Tensile Tensile Sample temperature strength modulus strength configuration (° C.) (N/10 mm) (GPa) (MPa) Standard 154  10 ± 2.7 29.6 ± 3.9 535 ± 55 compaction technique (comparison) Woven PE cloth + 152 10.6 ± 1.5  26.8 ± 1.6 483 ± 28 interlayer Woven PE cloth + 135 5.9 ± 0.9 14.5 ± 2.7 283 ± 25 interlayer (comparison)

Compacting at a temperature just above the melting temperature of the interlayer but below the melting range of the oriented tapes (135° C.) gives modest mechanical properties. The sample made at 152° C. with the interlayer shows comparable values of tensile modulus, strength and peel strength, compared with the normal compacted sample made at 154° C. Using the film therefore gives the prospect of lowering the compaction temperature 2° C., increasing the width of the processing window.

EXAMPLE SET D

Tests were carried out to investigate the impact of using interleaved layers of polypropylene (PP) film in combination with the normal layers of woven PP tapes. The PP film this time was the same polymer grade as used for the drawn and woven tapes. The polymer, grade 100GA02, was obtained from BP Chemicals, Grangemouth, UK.

The film had the following properties:

Mn=78,100

Mw=360,000

Density=910 Kg/m³

It was extruded using a Brabender single screw extruder and a standard film die set to a temperature of 260° C. Extrusion screw and wind up speeds (8 rpm and 4.6 m/min) were chosen such that a film thickness of approximately 15 μm was produced.

The next stage in the study was to manufacture a range of samples, with the film as an interlayer, and without (comparison), to assess the impact of an interlayer on compacted sheet properties. DSC tests, carried out a heating rate of 10° C./min, showed that the peak melting point of the film was 162° C., while the constrained peak melting point of the oriented tapes was 194° C. Compacted samples were therefore made at a temperature of 175° C., high enough to melt the film completely but not high enough to cause any melting of the oriented phase.

The material used was a fabric woven tape, formed from a slit film, draw ratio nominally 10:1, woven in a 6060 style. A single pressure process (4.6 MPa) with a dwell time of 5 minutes was used. Samples were also compacted at 180, 187, 189, 191, 193, 195, 197 and 200° C. Cooling rate was 50° C./min, achieved by passing cold water through the heating platens.

In the first set of tests, 4 layer samples were made for measurement of the interlayer bond strength, using the ‘T’ peel test. The results are given in FIG. 5.

It is seen that at all compaction temperatures, the peel strength is higher when using the interlayer.

The next stage was to measure the stress-strain behaviour of various materials to see if these had been reduced in any way.

The results are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As shown in FIG. 6, within the experimental scatter no significant difference was seen between the initial tensile modulus of the two groups of samples. The modulus is seen to be relatively constant between 191 and 197° C. for both sets of samples. Thus in this set of tests the introduction of a thin film of material between the woven layers has no discernible detrimental effect on the compacted sample modulus.

For the tensile strength results shown in FIG. 7 there was a clearer difference seen between the two sets of samples. Here the samples made with the film showed a higher tensile strength than those compacted normally. This difference is largest at the lower temperatures when there is little surface melting of the oriented tapes. However, even in the ‘optimum’ compaction range, the film samples still show a slightly higher tensile strength.

The table below presents a summary of the results from the tensile and peel strength tests (ASTM protocols as noted above), in respect of peel strength, tensile modulus, tensile strength and failure strain.

In an attempt to discern the optimum combination of the four parameters mentioned above, and help assess the impact of the interleaved film, the following performance index (PI) was derived. Assuming each property tested is equally important, this is as follows ${PI} = {100 \times \frac{\left\lbrack {\left( \frac{E_{T}}{E_{\max}} \right) + \left( \frac{\sigma_{T}}{\sigma_{\max}} \right) + \left( \frac{ɛ_{T}}{ɛ_{\max}} \right) + \left( \frac{{Peel}_{T}}{{Peel}_{\max}} \right)} \right\rbrack}{4}}$ where the subscript T refers to a particular compaction temperature and the subscript max refers to the maximum value measured for all the samples. Values of the performance index are also shown in the table below and in FIG. 8. It is seen that the interlayer samples have a better balance of properties compared to the normal samples when analysed in this way, but with the peel strength showing the most marked improvement.

It will be seen that the PI value of the samples made in accordance with the invention, employing a film as interlayer, exceeded the corresponding “no film” value at each given compaction temperature. The best performance was achieved when some melting of the woven fabric took place, notably at a compaction temperature of around 189-197° C. The PI value was higher in the “interlayer” sample. Compaction Tensile Tensile Failure Peel Performance temperature modulus strength strain strength Index (° C.) E (GPa) σ (MPa) ε (N/10 mm) (PI) No film† 175 2.99 67 5 0.63 38 180 2.31 93 12 1.17 46 187 2.24 123 15 1.89 55 189 2.87 148 18 3.7 69 191 3.41 154 18 4.98 76 193 3.43 155 15 7.53 77 195 3.4 138 21 7.2 80 197 3.39 137 20 >7.2* 79 200 1.4 29 20 >7.2* 49 with film  175† 3.09 100 7 5.21 53 180 2.59 155 16 6.23 70 187 2.47 145 17 8.66 72 189 3.1 163 18 11 84 191 3.13 168 18 12.3 87 193 3.18 173 20 13.7 93 195 3.44 150 19 16.6 94 197 3.49 136 20 >16.6* 94 200 1.4 29 20 >16.6* 63 *samples too well bonded to be tested in peel test †comparisons SEM Images of Polypropylene Peel Fracture Surfaces

The samples compacted at 175, 191 and 193° C. were selected for SEM microscopy of their fracture surfaces following peel testing. The samples were as follows. Compaction Sample temperature (° C.) Details comparison 175 No film comparison 175 1 layer 100GA02 comparison 191 No film invention 191 1 layer 100GA02 comparison 193 No film Invention 193 1 layer 100GA02

The measured peel strengths for these samples are as shown in the table below. Compaction temperature (° C.) Without film With film 175 0.63 ± 0.12  5.21 ± 0.98 191 4.98 ± 1.6  12.3 ± 4.1 193 7.53 ± 3.52 13.7 ± 3.5 Peel fracture loads (N/10 mm)

The associated SEM micrographs are FIGS. 9-18. Comments on these micrographs are as follows.

175° C.—No Film

-   FIG. 9: This is a low magnification micrograph (×50) showing the     sample edge and fracture surface. The key point is that at this     compaction temperature of 175° C., the tapes and the layers are very     poorly bonded. -   FIG. 10: This micrograph (×30) shows the peel fracture surface for     the sample made at 175° C. without a film. There is very little     surface damage. As will be seen from the later micrographs, the     amount of surface damage correlates very well with the peel     strength, as being evidence of the amount of energy needed to     separate the surfaces. If the woven layers are poorly bonded, the     failure proceeds between the layers causing little damage and a low     peel load. If the layers are well bonded, the failure path has to     move into the oriented tapes, or the film layer, which increases the     peel load and the samples then show a much rougher surface     appearance.     175° C.—with Film -   FIG. 11: This is a low magnification micrograph (×50) of the sample     edge. It is seen again, that at this temperature the layers and     tapes are in general poorly bonded. -   FIG. 12: This micrograph (×30) shows that there is considerable     surface damage associated with the interface where the film was     located, which correlates with the measured increase in peel     strength. However it is also seen that the tapes themselves are not     well bonded to those underneath, i.e. where there is no film.     To Summarise—175° C. Results     -   Using a film, and processing at a temperature above the film         melting point but below the temperature where the oriented tapes         melt, gives a structure which is well bonded where the film is         present, but poorly bonded elsewhere. It is clear that it would         be very difficult for the film to penetrate through the woven         tape layers.     -   Processing at a temperature well below the melting temperature         of the oriented tapes, and using no film, gives poor bonding         throughout the structure.         191° C.—no Film -   FIG. 13: This is a low magnification micrograph (×50) showing the     sample edge and fracture surface. The key point is that at this     compaction temperature of 191° C., where the surfaces of the     oriented tapes are now beginning to melt, the layers are now much     better bonded and the compacted sheet is more homogeneous. The     individual tapes in the compacted sheet are less apparent than at     175° C. (FIG. 10). -   FIG. 14: This micrograph (×30) shows the peel fracture surface for     the sample made at 191° C. without a film. As would be expected,     there is increased surface damage compared to the sample made at     175° C. As with most traditionally compacted samples (i.e. without a     film) the surface damage is patchy: there are some regions where the     damage is pronounced and others where it is less so.     191° C.—with Film -   FIG. 15: This is a low magnification micrograph (×50) of the sample     edge. It is seen that at this temperature the layers are well     bonded; the structure is now homogeneous. -   FIG. 16: This micrograph (×30) shows that a sample made at 191° C.     with a film develops a large amount of surface damage on peeling,     reflecting the higher peel force measured for this sample. The     damage is now seen to be more even across the sample surface.     Perhaps the introduction of the film at the interlayer is able to     even out any local differences in the way the two woven layers fit     together.     To Summarise—191° C. Results     -   Using a film, and processing at a temperature where the oriented         tapes begin to melt, produces the combination of an overall         homogeneous structure and interlayer regions (the weak point in         the structure) which are very well bonded.     -   The level of damage (i.e. bonding) is more even over the surface         when using an interleaved film     -   The level of damage for the sample made at 175° C. with a film         is similar to that seen for the sample made at 191° C. without a         film, reflecting the similarity in the peel load values.         193° C.—without Film -   FIG. 17: This shows (×30) a peel fracture surface from a sample made     at 193° C. without a film. The fracture surface shows a similar     amount of damage to that on the sample made at 191° C. without the     film (FIG. 14) but not as much as that on the sample made at 191° C.     with the film. The amount of surface damage correlates well with the     measured peel loads. As with the sample made at 191° C. without the     film, the damage seen over the area is patchy.     193° C.—with Film -   FIG. 18: This micrograph (×30) which shows regions where there has     been cohesive failure within the film and regions of adhesive     failure at the film/tape interface. This suggests that the failure     could be a combination of these two modes.     To Summarise—193° C. Results     -   Using a film, and processing at a temperature where the oriented         tapes begin to melt, produces the combination of an overall         homogeneous structure and interlayer regions which are well         bonded.     -   The level of damage (i.e. bonding) is more even over the surface         when using an interleaved film. It is proposed that the         interleaved film is able to more easily fill any gaps which         might be present when the woven layers are pressed together.     -   The level of damage seen on the 193° C. compacted sample         fracture surfaces is higher than that on the corresponding         191° C. surfaces (FIGS. 15, 16) reflecting the associated         increase in peel strengths.

EXAMPLE SET E

In this example set the flexural properties of samples compacted at different temperatures, with and without an interlayer, were tested.

The sample preparation was as described previously. The ASTM testing regimes noted above were used.

-   FIG. 19 shows the results for both the flexural modulus and flexural     strength. Below the onset of selective surface melting of the     oriented tapes (˜187° C.), the flexural properties of the     interleaved film samples are better than the conventionally     compacted samples. Above this temperature, the flexural properties     of the two sets of samples are very similar. Flexural properties     peak at a compaction temperature of 195° C. for both sets of     samples.

EXAMPLE SET F

In this set of tests effect of interlayer thickness was studied, using the same method and polypropylene material as was used in Example Set D. As with the examples above a film of thickness 10-15 μm was used as an interlayer, with 0-3 such films being used, multiple films being placed together in a stack.

Average values for stress-strain behaviour and peel strength are shown below in the following table. Compaction Tensile Tensile Peel Temperature modulus strength strength (° C.) Interlayer E (GPa) σ (MPa) (N/10 mm) 191° C. No film 3.41 ± 0.25 154 ± 8 4.98 ± 1.6 1 layer 3.13 ± 0.05 168 ± 8 12.3 ± 4.1 2 layers 3.17 ± 0.15 135 ± 9  8.8 ± 1.3 3 layers 3.00 ± 0.36 137 ± 3 12.5 ± 4.7 193° C. No film 3.43 ± 0.29 155 ± 7  7.53 ± 3.52 1 layer 3.18 ± 0.09 173 ± 4 13.7 ± 3.5 2 layers 3.22 ± 0.18 144 ± 5  9.6 ± 2.3 3 layers 3.01 ± 0.37 160 ± 9 11.7 ± 4.3

The results indicate that the tensile modulus falls for both temperatures as the film thickness is increased; that the tensile strength peaks for the single layer film thickness and then falls again as the thickness is increased; and that the peel strengths are similar for all layers of film thickness, and all significantly higher than the comparative samples without an interlayer.

The results, taken together, suggest that the single layer is the optimum, giving the maximum increase in peel strength for the minimum loss of tensile modulus, and with retention or slight improvement in tensile strength.

EXAMPLE SET G

In this example set SEM microscopy was used to study peel fracture surfaces using the same materials and processing as described in Example Set B but having multiple interlayers. The processing temperature was 193° C., so the figures of Example Set D which provide comparisons are FIG. 17 (no film) and FIG. 18 (one layer of film). FIGS. 20 and 21 are views of a corresponding peel tested product, but having two and three layers of the 100GA02 polymer film, respectively. By way of comparison, in the single layer sample of FIG. 18 of Example Set D one can see the film layers F lying on top of the oriented tapes underneath. In FIG. 20 a sample made with two layers of film the edge of the sample clearly shows the film layer F located within the sample, and the film layer on the peel surface itself. It appears that failure has proceeded at this point predominantly through the film layer. From this micrograph we can see that the damage zone is located within the film layer. FIG. 21 shows a region of the surface showing the thick film layer, now composed of three film layers F. The damage zone is now seen to be much thinner than the overall film thickness.

EXAMPLE SET H

This example set examined the importance of the type of film used. In some of the tests the interlayer was made from the same polymer as was used to make the oriented tapes (PP 100GA 02 material as described above). In other tests two further interlayer films were investigated, namely.

-   1) A (30 μm thick) polypropylene film of m.p. 163° C., obtained from     ICI. -   2) A PE film made in-house: this employed the Brabender single screw     extruder and the same film die used to make the PP film described     above. This used a BOREALIS PE (Film grade FL5580) and the final     extruded film was between 10 and 15 μm thick.

Compaction experiments were carried out using the same woven PP cloth as described above (10:1 drawn tape, 6060 style, 100GA 02 polymer). Experiments were conducted at two compaction temperatures: 175° C., for comparison, enough to melt each film but not enough to melt the surfaces of the oriented materials and 193° C. which is in the optimum value for normal hot compaction

The results are shown in the table below. Peel Sample Film E σ strength thickness thickness (GPa) (MPa) ε (N/10 mm) (mm) (μm) 175° C. no film† 2.99 67 5 0.6 0.64 matching 3.09 100 7 5.2 0.64 10-12 PP film† ICI PP 2.45 86 1.3 0.72 30 film† PE film† 2.51 92 0.7 0.68 10-15 193° C. no film† 3.43 155 15 7.5 0.47 matching 3.18 173 20 13.7 0.51 10-12 PP film ICI PP 3.08 103 23 8.7 0.58 30 film PE film 2.70 113 28 2.3 0.53 10-15 †comparisons

The results indicate that the best samples are those made with the matching PP film.

EXAMPLE SET I

In this example as assessment was made of the application of the invention to polyester (PET) materials.

Woven PET fabric, and polymer of an identical chemical composition, were supplied by KOSA, GmbH and Co. KG.

The polymer and fabric details were as follows Polymer Type T51 - IV ˜0.85, Mn ˜22,500 Fabric weight 200 g/m² Oriented shape multifilament bundles 1100 decitex Weave style Plain weave 9/9 threads/cm Peak m.p. 250° C.

PET film (˜15 μm thick) was cast from the polymer using a standard extruder and a film die. A second PET film, of a different chemical composition to the woven cloth, was also used in these tests: this film was slightly biaxially oriented.

The work reported looked at the application of the invention to the woven PET material, both with and without an interleaved film. Samples were made using both films.

The table below shows a comparison between the stress-strain and peel strength behaviour of samples made with and without the film of the same composition at 257, 258 and 259/260° C. As is seen all the samples made with the film showed increased tensile modulus, tensile strength and peel strength over the samples made without the film, at a given temperature. Compaction Tensile Tensile Peel temperature modulus strength strength (° C.) Sample (GPa) (MPa) (N/10 mm) 257 No film† 4.51 ± 0.18  88 ± 18 1.2 ± 0.2 Same film 5.69 ± 0.52  178 ± 16 5.1 ± 0.6 258 No film† 4.96 ± 0.4  120 ± 5 2.0 ± 0.4 Same film 6.65 ± 0.69 175 ± 5 5.9 ± 1.4 260/ No film† 6.41 ± 0.77  138 ± 16 7.2 ± 1.2 259 Same film 7.27 ± 0.64 188 ± 8 6.9 ± 0.9 †comparisons

As a further experiment samples were also made, using a compaction temperature of 257° C., using no film, and both PET films, and tested in the manner described previously. The results are as follows. Tensile Tensile Peel modulus strength strength Sample (GPa) (MPa) (N/10 mm) No film 4.51 ± 0.18  88 ± 18  1.2 ± 0.17 Different film 6.85 ± 0.32 158 ± 13 3.9 ± 0.6 Same film 5.69 ± 0.52 178 ± 16 5.1 ± 0.6

It can be seen that in this experiment the mechanical properties were significantly boosted by the presence of either film; and that the films gave rise to enhancement of different mechanical properties. Namely the tensile modulus of the sample with the different film is higher than with the identical film, although the tensile strength and peel strength are higher with the identical film.

A significant finding is that these mechanical properties were achieved using a compaction temperature of 257° C. The optimum temperature for compacting PET by the prior method (no film) is regarded as 260° C. With PET the processing window is narrow, which could inhibit the commercialisation of hot compaction processes as applied to PET. A lowering of the compaction temperature to 257° C., yet with achievement of good mechanical properties, suggests a significant practical benefit.

EXAMPLE SET J

SEM Images of Polyethylene Peel Fracture Surfaces

Peel samples were manufactured as described in Example Set B using woven TENSYLON 10:1 PE tapes (6060 style). Samples were made with and without an interleaved film. In these tests a film of the same grade as the oriented tapes was not available and so the Borealis FL5580 material, a similar grade, was sourced.

8 samples were studied, having been compacted at 135° C., 148° C., 152° C. and 154° C., with and without an interlayer film, and subjected to the peel test. Compaction Without temperature (° C.) Film With film 135 0.72 ± 0.31 5.94 ± 0.92 148 4.23 ± 0.78 9.02 ± 1.18 152 5.56 ± 1.05 10.6 ± 1.5  154   10 ± 2.73 13.4 ± 3.3  Peel fracture loads (N/10 mm)

The associated SEM micrographs are FIGS. 22-37 herein. Comments on these micrographs are as follows.

-   FIGS. 22-25: These figures show low magnification micrographs of     typical fracture surfaces from samples made without a film at 135,     148, 152 and 154° C. respectively. As the compaction temperature is     increased the level of surface damage increases. At the lowest     temperature, where there is no surface melting of the PE tapes,     there is no bonding of the tapes. -    At 148° C., where the surfaces of the tapes are just beginning to     melt, the tapes appear better bonded although the peel surfaces are     clear of damage. -    At 152° C. surface damage has increased, reflecting the increase in     the measured peel load. As with the PP studies, the areas of surface     damage are variable when a film is not used. -    At 154° C. the damage is further increased. -   FIGS. 26-29: These four micrographs show samples made with a film at     135, 148, 152 and 148° C. respectively. All show increased surface     damage compared to the equivalent samples made at the same     temperature. Unlike the PP studies, the film is still visible on     some of the fracture surfaces, particularly at 135° C. As the     compaction temperature is increased the amount of damage increases.     Only at 154° C. is substantial damage seen within the oriented tapes     (i.e. at the temperature where there is substantial surface melting     of the tapes). -    For the other temperatures the failure mode seems to have occurred     at the film/woven cloth surface, i.e. at least partial adhesive     failure. The best performance is therefore confirmed as a     combination of film melting and melting of the tape outer surfaces. -   FIG. 30: 135° C. no film: shows one tape going underneath another at     90° to it, and confirms no bonding between the tapes at this     temperature. -   FIG. 31: 135° C. with film: this high magnification micrograph shows     surface damage and tearing of the interleaved film, but that failure     has occurred between the film and the woven layer in some instances. -   FIG. 32: 148° C. no film: this micrograph shows a junction between     tapes and indicates much better bonding between the tapes. However     there is minimal surface damage suggesting the surfaces were fairly     easily separated (i.e. low peel strength). -   FIG. 33: 148° C. with film: shows increased surface damage but still     adhesive failure. -   FIG. 34: 152° C. no film: increased surface damage on this sample     compared to the lower temperatures made without a film. -   FIG. 35: 152° C. with film: shows adhesive failure. -   FIG. 36: 154° C. no film: optimum temperature without a film:     substantial damage of the oriented tapes produced during peeling. -   FIG. 37: 154° C. with film: this sample gave the roughest peeled     surface seen, which correlates with the highest peel load measured.     At this compaction temperature the failure appears to be cohesive.     The piece of film on the left shows evidence of material peeled off     the adjoining tape on the other surface. 

1. A process for the production of a polymeric article, the process comprising the steps of: (a) forming a ply having successive layers, namely (i) a first layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material; (ii) a second layer of a polymeric material; (iii) a third layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material, wherein the second layer has a lower peak melting temperature than that of the first and third layers; (b) subjecting the ply to conditions of time, temperature and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the first layer, to melt the second layer entirely, and to melt a proportion of the third layer; and to compact the ply; and (c) cooling the compacted ply.
 2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the strands of an oriented polymeric material of the first and third layers are of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyoxymethylene or polyester.
 3. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second layer is of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyoxymethylene or polyester.
 4. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first, second and third layers are of the same type of polymeric material.
 5. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second layer has a peak melting temperature at least 5° C. lower than the peak melting temperature of the first and third layers.
 6. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second layer is of thickness not exceeding 100 μm.
 7. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second layer is of thickness at least 5 μm.
 8. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second layer is preformed, and laid onto the first or third layer in step (a).
 9. A process as claimed in claim 8 wherein the second layer is a film.
 10. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the compaction pressure does not exceed 10 MPa.
 11. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the strands are in the form of tapes.
 12. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least 1% of each of the first and third layer melts (vol/vol of layer).
 13. A process as claimed in claim 12 wherein at least 5% of each of the first and third layer melts (vol/vol of layer).
 14. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein not more than 30% of each of the first and third layer melts (vol/vol of layer).
 15. A process as claimed in claim 14 wherein not more than 20% of each of the first and third layer melts (vol/vol of layer).
 16. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the proportion of the ply which melts in the process is in the range 1-35% (vol/vol of the total ply).
 17. A polymeric article manufactured by a process as claimed in claim 1, the polymeric article having oriented regions which are the unmelted portions of the first and third layers and amorphous regions which are composed of the melted and cooled second layer together with the melted and cooled portions of the first and third layers.
 18. A process for forming an article with a shape, by the application of heat and a shaping force to a polymeric article as claimed in claim
 17. 19. An article formed with a shape by a process as claimed in claim
 18. 20. A ply having successive layers (yet to be secured together), namely (i) a first layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material; (ii) a second layer of a polymeric material; (iii) a third layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material, wherein the second layer has a lower peak melting temperature than that of the first and third layers.
 21. A process for fabricating a polymeric article, or a polymeric article thus formed, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to those of the accompanying examples which describe full melting of an interlayer and partial melting of adjoining fibrous layers. 